Release Day Tips from Author Pepper Basham + GIVEAWAY

Our special guest today is none other than our fearless leader Pepper Basham! Today marks the release of her latest novel, Just the Way You Are. She was writing it when I (Laurie) met her, and I fell in love with her characters, Wes and Eisley. Since I'm releasing my first novel next month, I asked her for some book launching advice since this is her fifth release, and she was so gracious to answer some questions:

What advice would you give an author who is preparing for her very first book launch? 

Get help! :-) Enlist people who are gifted in areas where you're weak, if you can. Singing Librarian Books was a great place for me to start with Sydney Anderson. She helped organize the FB party like a DREAM. Also, if you have a street team, spend time getting to know them and building hype. They're going to be your BEST cheerleaders on your journey. I seriously cannot IMAGINE being on this journey without them.

How did you prepare differently for this release than your first?

Hmm...well, I'd learned from my last ones how to prep better. Making memes, getting some blog post opportunities - but, like I said before, the biggest thing for me has been my street team! Now that I'm not building one and we're established as a true team, they all come together so beautifully to help promote my books. I'm floored by their support and the fun we have! It helps that I won a CelebrateLit tour for this book too. That's been an AMAZING boost for the launch - and Sandy Barela has been WONDERFUL to work with. She's so encouraging!

How has your launch team changed?

They've grown! I started with about 25 people and a 1/4 of them were AlleyCats :-) Now I have a wide range of ages and places - about 1/2 are faithful reviewers/promoters, and I'm learning (with the help of the amazing Rachel Dixon) how to provide more accountability with them while also continuing this fantastic partnership we all have together. I'm serious. I LOVE these ladies. They're amazing.

Any real/humbling moments to keep you grounded on release day? :)

Well, on most of my release days, I've been at work all day, so...I've had to wait ALL DAY LONG to celebrate. And even if I share my cool news at work, people sort of nod and grin, but they're not screaming like crazy on the inside like me. For the most part, it's a day like any other...except THIS time, I'm only working part of the day so I can party the rest of the day :-)

Though I have to say, last year when one of my books released, one of my kindergarten classes made a big sign for me of congratulations and posted it in my office with a bouquet of flowers. They'd all signed it in their "new to writing" way. It was the BEST EVER!

What's the number one thing (or a few things) you never expected about releasing a book when you were still a pre-published author?

Okay, this might burst your bubble, but here it goes. I expected bells, whistles, big sales, life changing moments...and, although I had a great launch party and book signing, and so many people supported me, my expectations and reality didn't quite match up. Of course, I'm a writer, so my imagination CAN get a little carried away.

Another thing that is much sweeter that's happened since releasing a book is the genuine response from readers. I am humbled--SO humbled--when a reader takes the time to not just write a review, but email/message me personally about how my story touched them. Wow! What a God-moment, right? And I've even received a few handwritten notes of gratitude. So humbling and sweet.

Any last advice?

The biggest advice I can give for anyone who is starting this journey besides WRITE is: remember why you love writing and hold that reason close to your heart. There are going to be days, weeks, and maybe even months when hard stuff happens and our expectations and reality don't meet. Remember WHY you write. The joy of just placing words into stories. Remember that for those times when reality hits...and it's tougher, more stressful, or more discouraging than you thought. God has cultivated this love of writing within you and the joy can be resurrected at any time if we hold to the reason we love story first and remember WHO we're ultimately pleasing when we use our gift of story :-)

About Just the Way You Are:

Single mom, Eisley Barrett, prefers to keep romance housed within a centuries-old mystery, but when she travels to England to unearth the secret, an actor with a sordid past offers her heart a very different type of discovery.

Wes Harrison has a past he's ashamed to confess. Suspicious and cynical, he's managed to avoid romantic entanglements since a tragedy upended his career and life, that is until American Eisley Barrett comes along. Her authenticity and kindness upend his bitter assumptions and send his heart into unscripted territory.

When his past threatens to ruin a second chance at love, can some Appalachian matchmaking and letters from the grave salvage their unexpected romance?

Humor, love, mystery, cute kids, crazy families, and culture clashes make this Britallachian Romance a unique and delightful romantic comedy sprinkled with adventure.

Click here to buy a copy of Just the Way You Are and leave a comment for the chance to WIN a paperback when they release! :)

’Twas the Night Before your Book Release ...

So … technically my sophomore novel, FROM WINTER’S ASHES, releases on Tuesday, not tomorrow, (thus I’m admitting the title of this post is inaccurate as well as cheesy) but the anticipation is as strong as a restless child counting down the minutes on Christmas Eve, save one BIG difference!

FEAR.

Whether you’ve experienced your own RELEASE Day or you’re simply dreaming of the day, this is a GOOD day. I’m not trying to diminish that. It’s a dream come true in many ways! Like the long awaited birth of a child, you’ve suffered and rejoiced over the changes and the labor pains. You’ve agonized long into many sleepless nights preparing for that beautiful, glorious day when you get to hold your book baby in your hands for the first time. But like any new parent, joy is not often the only emotion you’ll experience. Because while you’ve prepared for this momentous occasion, the work is really just beginning! And the worries? Well, they’re as innate as your desire to shield your baby from bumps and booboos, hurts and heartaches, big and small.

And so, on the (almost) eve of my second “delivery” I’ve got a million things to do. I’m equally excited and nervous about the possibilities. The anticipation is agonizing. I CAN NOT WAIT! And yet, there’s an element of self-doubt that plagues most writers. From first-timers to veterans, sharing your heart on paper is an oddly vulnerable thing. You really can’t predict how your baby will be received. It’s a great unknown. Like a present waiting beneath that tree, you can’t help but wonder what you’re going to get. If the Giver remembered what it was you wanted or if you might not be mature enough to receive that gift.

Well, that day is coming! Someday it will be you on the cusp of release day, teetering on the emotional edge of your highest hopes. And because my book is about winter and is releasing in June, and because I’m ridiculously giddy and possibly terrified, and all kinds of upside-down and inside-out at present, I thought I’d hit you with some of this silliness. Enjoy!

’Twas the night before your book release, and all through your home,

no one else is nervous, your anxiety’s your own.

Do you re-read the words again, find a typo you can’t fix?

Do you close your eyes and try to sleep, with a prayer and a wish?

Did you do enough promotion, or is it all white noise?

Just keep your chin up, hang on to that poise.

Your heart won’t stop racing, your palms are all slick,

Your nails are already down to the quick.

Will they like it? You wonder. Will anyone buy?

Your eyes will be glued to your rank till you cry.

When all of the sudden five stars pop right up!

Someone loves it. They think you’ve got the right stuff.

Oh joy! Oh happiness! Oh writer’s delight!

The bestseller list is already in sight!

But all books aren’t for everyone, and you hold your breath for the day,

Some scathing one star steals your joy right away.

You’ll rejoice and you’ll torture over every review,

wishing they didn’t matter as much as they do.

Your pride will get dinged, other times it’ll sing …

But your book is with readers, the most important thing!

Will anyone find it, will you get lost in the horde,

Only time will tell, meanwhile, you write some more. 

Talk to me... Have you had a release day of your own? Any book release traditions you have or might implement someday? I pretty much drink lots of coffee and stare at my computer all day. Pretty exciting stuff! I'm thinking this time should include cake. Everything is better with cake. :)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Amy Leigh Simpson writes romantic mysteries with honesty and humor, sweetness and spice, and gritty reality covered by grace. When she’s not stealing moments at naptime to squeeze out a few more adventures in storyland, she’s chasing around two tow-headed miscreants (Ahem)—boys, playing dress up with one sweet princess baby, and being the very blessed wife to the coolest, most swoon-worthy man alive. Amy is a Midwestern-girl, a singer, blogger, runner, coffee-addict, and foodie. Her Sports Medicine degree is wasted patching up daily boo boo’s, but whatever is left usually finds its way onto the page with fluttering hearts, blood and guts, and scars that lead to happily ever after.

Her debut romantic mystery novel WHEN FALL FADES is available now for $4.99! And this coming TUESDAY don't forget to check out the release day *SALE* on book two in the Girl Next Door Series FROM WINTER'S ASHES!

What do authors REALLY do on release day?

This is a FUN week for me!! My FIRST ever boxed set released on Tuesday! I teamed up with 7 other authors to put together a Christmas set of novellas (I chatted about that trend in my last post!)

Release days are an interesting thing! There is SO much hype and emphasis going up to the day -- but what happens on the ACTUAL day?!?

I thought for fun, I'd ask a few published authors how they typically spend their release days!

My question:

What does your release day look like? Do you have a party, do you sit around in your pajamas and eat chocolate all day as a reward? Do you go out to a special celebratory dinner? Or do you spend all day on Facebook/twitter???

Answers: 

Kristy Cambron - Author of The Butterfly and the Violin - 
I don't check sales rankings that closely on launch day. I monitor regularly, but don't spend too much time watching. First book, I had to work 12 hours at my other job, so kind of lost that day. LOL! With my second book, I had an awards luncheon and spent time with friends at a coffee shop. Next book... Not sure! Guess I'll be wherever God wants me that day. It's a blessing of a day for sure and I love we get each one!

Carol Moncado - Author of Hand-Me-Down Princess
I obsessively check the KDP Dashboard while sitting around in my PJs pretending to work on the next book. Unless I'm at work. Then I'm dressed in nice jeans and a nice shirt and check as often as I can.

Janice Thompson - Author of Every Bride Needs a Groom
What she (Carol) said ^^^

(pretty sure Janice didn't think I'd use her ditto comment --- but little did she know.... :-) :-))

Pepper Basham (RESIDENT ALLEYCAT!) - Author of The Thornbearer
I work on release days HOWEVER, I make sure I am taken to my fav restaurant for dinner so I can have my fav meal and dessert (mass amounts of chocolate). I don't check sales that day much because I'm usually at work, but I celebrate with my AlleyCats - who also help promote the release and make me feel special!

Reba Stanley - Author of A Promise Kept
I exhale....then breathe in the air of sweet relief. And when that fifteen minutes is over, I am busy scheduling and marketing. I'm always looking for new ways and places to market my books.

Jody Hedlund - Author of Luther and Katharina
Release day is always a special day! On a personal level, it's the culmination of a lot of hard work, and I enjoy being able to have the moment of celebrating the accomplishment. But on another level the release day is a way to officially launch the book to readers and start lots of buzz about the book. So, while I don't have a party in literal sense, I do try celebrate online with my readers. Every release is a little different but usually involves giveaways and chatting with readers on Facebook. For example last week with the release of Luther and Katharina I did a giveaway each day on FB and had trivia questions about Katharina and graphics with Martin Luther quotes that readers could share. (I may or may not eat extra chocolate cake to celebrate too!)

For me?

Let's see. I spent this release day on Facebook WAY too much. I splurged and went and got me some lunch instead of eating a sandwich at home. (I KNOW! WILD GIRL!) I may-or-may-not have sneaked a few pieces of candy out of the for-halloween-only candy stash. I stressed a little too much so ended up with a headache and so--- TOOK A NAP --- on release day. I think that was God's way of trying to get me to give it to him.

Which was fantastic because when I woke up this morning I was greeted with THIS!

Yup. That little ol' novella collection made #1 best seller of Christian fiction collections on Amazon -- and in the top 500's of the OVERALL Kindle-paid list! My FIRST book to get that coveted little orange flag under its reviews and to break top 1000 on Kindle!

No clue how long it will stay that way.

But I'm calling this release day a rousing success and giving ALL thanks to God!

I'd LOVE for you to go check out the collection if you get a chance! It's only 99 cents!!

Let's Chat!!

PUBBED authors -- I'd love for you to share how YOU spend your release days!!!
PREPUBBED authors -- Close your eyes and imagine your PERFECT release day. Come on. I KNOW you wanna dream about it. What does it look like??

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and author of Sandwich, With a Side of Romance, A Side of Faith and A Side of Hope. She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of Wordserve Literary.